When most people think of impatiens, they think of the popular bedding plants that are sold everywhere and that are probably among the most widely sold annuals around. The term “impatiens” is derived from the Latin, and means exactly what it says: impatient.
These flowers came to be called impatiens because whenever anyone touched the delicate seed pod, the seeds would scatter everywhere, giving people the metaphorical impression that the seeds were anxious to get on with the business of growing.
There are actually three types of impatiens, all of which are very different. The most familiar type, of course is the bedding impatiens, once grown as houseplants, they were known as “busy Lizzie’s” to the Victorians.
These bedding plants are shade lovers and are well suited to borders or other areas of flower beds where they can spread, because they spread widely. They don’t grow very tall, so are best placed in the front of taller flowers.
These shade loving annuals will grow in hot conditions, provided they are protected from any direct sun and are watered regularly. Though they are really quite hardy and easy to grow, they will show the effects of insufficient water quickly and visibly. In addition to being good bedding and border plants, they are also nice plants for window boxes and containers.
The second type of impatiens is the New Guinea variety. New Guinea impatiens grow taller than the bedding impatiens, and though less adaptable to soil conditions, they are better suited to growing in containers. They grow best in full sun and will tolerate high heat. They have larger, thicker leaves that are either red, green or variegated. The red leaves are really striking against pink or magenta colored flowers.
New Guinea impatiens look great as part of a container garden in which they are the focal point with other things planted around them. The leaves of lime green sweet potato vine would be a nice contrast in a container for the red leaves of New Guinea impatiens.
Use a soil that drains well and that breathes well. Most of the potting soil sold in retail centers doesn’t have any peat moss or Perlite to aid in drainage. New Guinea impatiens need peat moss, Perlite, some sort of grainy grit or a small amount of sand to aid in drainage.
The third type of impatiens is Balsam Impatiens. Balsam impatiens is the tallest of the three varieties, growing from as little as 12 inches to as much as 30 inches tall. It is very easy to grow from seed. Once established,
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